How to Request an Official Transcript or Diploma from the University of Chicago Registrar

The University Registrar at the University of Chicago is the office that maintains official academic records. If you need an official transcript, you request it through the registrar's transcript service or your student portal. If you need a diploma (the printed certificate for a completed degree), that is handled separately from transcripts, typically through the same registrar office but on a different request path. In both cases, start at the University Registrar's website (registrar.uchicago.edu), where the current request links and instructions live.

Transcript vs. Diploma: What's the Difference?

These two documents serve different purposes, and students often request the wrong one.

If an application says "submit official transcripts," it almost always means the transcript, not the diploma. If it says "copy of your diploma," send the diploma.

Requesting an Official Transcript

Step 1: Decide who receives it

Transcripts can generally be sent:

• To you (for your own records or to upload elsewhere)
• Directly to a third party (school, employer, board) — this is what makes it "official" to that recipient

If a recipient requires a sealed or directly transmitted copy, order it sent straight to them rather than to yourself.

Step 2: Choose electronic or paper delivery

Most institutions now prefer electronic delivery because it arrives faster and is easier to verify. Paper delivery is still available and is sometimes required by specific agencies. The registrar's site lists the current delivery options.

Step 3: Place the request

• Current students: log in to the student portal (often referred to as the AIS, the Academic Information System) and look for the transcript or records section.
• Former students and alumni: use the transcript ordering service linked from the registrar's site. You will typically need to create an account or verify your identity, since you no longer have portal access.

Step 4: Authenticate and confirm

Expect an identity check. This may be your CNetID and password for current students, or a separate verification step for alumni. Double-check:

• Your name as it appears in the record
• The recipient's exact email or mailing address
• Whether you need the transcript to include the degree and conferral date

Step 5: Track the request

The ordering service usually provides a status page and confirmation email. Keep that confirmation — it is your reference if you need to follow up.

Requesting a Diploma

Diplomas are issued after the degree is conferred, which happens at the end of the term in which you complete all requirements. Key points:

• Timing: You generally cannot receive a diploma before conferral, even if you have finished your last class.
• Name: The diploma prints the name on your official record. If your name has changed, resolve that with the registrar before ordering.
• Delivery: Diplomas are typically mailed. Confirm your mailing address is current, since a returned diploma can take time to reissue.
• Replacement or duplicate: If your diploma is lost or damaged, the registrar handles reorders. Look for the diploma replacement path on the registrar site.

Common Situations and How to Handle Them

There's a hold on your account

A financial, library, or administrative hold can block transcript release. Check your student account first. The registrar cannot release records until the hold is cleared by the office that placed it.

Your name has changed

Transcripts and diplomas reflect your official record name. To update it, you typically need to submit legal documentation (such as a court order or marriage certificate) to the registrar. Do this before ordering, or your documents will print under the old name.

You need it sent to a third party

Enter the recipient's information exactly as they gave it to you. Many electronic delivery systems require the recipient's email, and some require a specific department or attention line. A typo can mean a rejected or misrouted transcript.

You graduated years ago

Alumni can still order transcripts. You will use the alumni/former-student path rather than the current-student portal, and you may need to verify your identity through the ordering service.

What the Registrar Can and Cannot Do

The registrar can:

• Issue official transcripts and diplomas
• Update your official record name with proper documentation
• Confirm enrollment and degree conferral
• Explain holds that affect record release

The registrar generally cannot:

• Resolve financial holds (contact the bursar or student accounts office)
• Provide course content, syllabi, or academic advising (contact your department or college)
• Issue unofficial grade breakdowns beyond what appears on the transcript
• Answer admissions questions (contact the admissions office)

If your question is about money owed, a specific course, or admission, you are likely talking to the wrong office.

Getting Help with a Request

For status questions, use the contact information on the registrar's transcript or diploma page rather than a general university line — the request services usually have their own support channel. Have ready:

• Your name as it appears in the record
• Your student ID or the year you attended
• The order confirmation number
• The recipient's details

Quick Checklist

1. Confirm whether you need a transcript or a diploma.
2. Clear any holds before ordering.
3. Fix your name in the record first if it has changed.
4. Choose electronic or paper delivery based on the recipient's requirement.
5. Enter recipient details exactly.
6. Save your confirmation and track the request.
7. Contact the registrar's request support if it does not arrive.

For the exact current links, delivery options, and any applicable fees, always start at the University Registrar's website, since those details can change and the registrar's own pages are the authoritative source.